Gasket around headlight trim

Look at the bottom of the chrome headlight ring for a screw at the bottom. Remove the screw and you will be able to flip up the entire rig around a lip at the top on the fiberglass body. This will expose the entire headlight unit. Look at the back and you'll see several wire springs. Study or take a picture of how they are placed....you will need to put them back in the same position.  Remove them and all will come apart and the gasket should be in sight.

You the man Dave !  I saw the screw at the bottom of the chrome rim that you described,but as I try to follow instructions carefully ,Kirk did not mention the screw that you are talking about. So when he did not mention the screw, I assumed it lifted out with the rim, even though I knew it was most likely incorrect.

So I'm glad I asked the question here in the venue, and that someone ,you, described what I will need to do. Kirk did however mention the springs, and warned about their strength! He told me one came loose on him one time hit him in the eye ,and put him in the hospital for three days. I will proceed with caution!! Thanks for the info I'm sure I'll be able to get the job done!!  SEA-B-STU

On my CMC there is no gasket between (behind) chrome headlight ring and body.  I slipped a real 356 gasket on after install to keep water from between thetwo.  It looks OEM.

Wolfgang.  Can you post a picture of that gasket?  I've ordered what I thought was that gasket and received some weird looking thing that is nothing like what I wanted.

To Wolfgang! The gasket in question is NOT between the car itself, and the chrome ring,that gasket is really a large rubber o ring to keep the chrome rim from damaging the paint around the rim!  This gasket is between the actual glass lens (not the headlight itself) but between the lens glass and the container that holds the entire light set-up.

To Troy ! I called and talked to Kirk on Fri.and he knew exactly what I was talking about ,said to call his shop today tell the secretary Mary ,and she would have one shipped out to me free of charge! Don't really know what it looks like till I receive it!     SEA-STU    

Here's write up on the retaining springs - they do tend to go "sproing" across the room.

 

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...ewtopic.php?t=372189

 

Stu.

I'm actually looking for the one that Wolfgang is referring to, the one that goes between the chrome ring and the body.

Excellent tech tip on headlight gaskets & stuff! Thanks for sharing that link, Greg! 

       
       


I just received mine and haven't checked for fit yet but here's where I went:

www.jbugs.com
Select an early model beetle
Select rubber gaskets and seals
Select body rubber and seals
Select headlight seals

I ordered a set of gaskets for between the lens and light and the gasket that goes between the bucket and fender. It is t-shaped gasket that goes around the chrome trim. It said it fits a 7" ring so I'm hopeful it will fit.

To Troy! I know exactly what your looking for ,and if you have a Vintage Speedster I suggest you call and talk to Kirk,and he will know exactly the size and type you need. FYI the number is  1-562-402-4334.     SEA-B-STU         ps. To Wolfgang ! A picture is worth a thousand words ,and when I get my gasket I will put my hardhat,goggles, and rubber gloves, on as I really can see how these springs can be very dangerous indeed!  Thank you for all the info.!!!   SEA-B-STU

Hi Stu.  I know I can get it from Vintage, but I'm looking for an alternate source.  When I have ordered a headlight to body seal from Sierra Madre, I received some weird T shaped thing.  I have no idea what it's even for.

Robert's Jbugs link above has a "Helpful hints and tips" section when you look at the bucket to fender seals.  And, $7.95 for a pair.  Bargain!

 

From there:

--The VW headlight bucket seal has a "T" profile. The top of the "T" sits flat against the body or fender.

Yes it is a gasket with T shape on one side.  On a VW bug fender there is a metal seam all around where the headlight bucket is welded to the fender.  That ridge does not exist on the Speedster smooth fiberglass body shell so there is nothing to keep gasket in place.  I found the directions for using the T gasket here years ago.  It fills the gap and makes it look finished.  Mine is weathered over years - time for new.  I got mine from Klassee356.

 

Here's VW fender headlight bucket:

 

 

And here's what my Speedie's headlight looks like with gasket:

 

 

 

 

The gasket I used looks like 102-191-L-R at J-Bugs with description ($7.95 each):

 

VW Headlight Bucket to Fender Seals, pair

 

The Headlight Bucket to Fender Seals fit on the lip of the fender and seal the body to the headlight housing.

Fit 1946-1966 VW Bug
1954-1967 VW Bus

Ohh... those are nice.

 

Humm... klasse356 you say?

 

Ted

Is anybody running the rubber gasket between the lenses and the chrome rings? I noticed that my head light buckets don't have those. Could be why the running light bulb socket is completely rusted out on one of mine.

Ted

Here is what the Beck straight from the factory set-up looks like .... please excuse today's crop of Florida bugs

 

 

You really have bugs in Florida !!!!! ???   

Put another bug on the barbie, Tom.

 

Tom - I think I have those same slippers.

Ted

yes ... it's slipper weather in florida as we are in the low 70's 

 

Rich ... they say they are high in Protein 

I don't have them Ted and I feel like a complete fool !  :-) Will get some though.

 

We did encounter those  fcckkyy^%$#   love bugs in Florida last Spring

tho' . PIA indeed !

Greg's application is exactly what I have too.  I fiddled with those 't' gaskets for a while trying to decide how they went on.  I think that is the best fit and most likely to keep out water....

I bought cheap ones from cip1.com and they disintegrated in a couple years. My car is garaged too. I would like to get some that might actually last a few more years.